“It will improve our ability to attack an enemy's major military and leadership facilities”

South Korean air force

Invincible Shield will take place at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 40 miles south of capital Seoul, from November 4 to 10.

The US is sending F-16 fighters to join South Korean F-15K and KF-16 aircraft.

A South Korean air force spokesman said: "The Invincible Shield drill is aimed at improving the allies' capabilities to attack an enemy's major military and leadership facilities, but also to intercept incoming aerial foes.

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"Through the exercise, the three countries will be able to bolster the interoperability of their military arsenals and joint operational capabilities in the event of conflict breaking out on the Korean Peninsula.”

North Korea conducted a nuclear test in January and another one in September – along with a series of ballistic missile launches – threatening security and stability on the peninsula and the region as a whole.

An RAF spokesman told Daily Star Online: "The Exercise being held between RoK, UK and US is not designed to train for any specific operations against any other nation in the region but rather is purely an exercise designed for international engagement to reinforce our relationships with partners, interoperability training and sharing of knowledge and best practice."